
A supportive and inclusive society in which all people
have equal opportunity to live, thrive and enjoy the full benefits
of belonging within their communities.

To support individuals with mental health and cognitive challenges to live well within their communities.
TESTIMONIAL MOHLTC
Thank you for the great tour that you arranged for us on Friday. Even though we had only 2 hours with you it was a great opportunity to learn from you and your teams about the variety of supportive housing that Cota offers. I especially appreciated the opportunity to meet with some of the tenants who live in Cota housing. I was also impressed with your team and their work in supporting our ABI [Acquired Brain Injury] clients. I really appreciate it and I know that Jenny Shiller (Minister’s Office) was also grateful for the opportunity.
– Miriam Johnston (Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care)

Paul Bruce
executive director

Cota launched our new Strategic Plan (2016-2021) in 2016-2017 after over a year of consultations with key stakeholders. Our 2016-2017 Annual Impact Report highlights many of the activities we have been pursuing in relation to our new strategic plan. Although this report reflects just the first year of our pursuit of these new strategic directions, I am very proud of the accomplishments to date.
Cota’s dedicated staff, students and volunteers work tirelessly every day to inspire positive change in the lives of the people we support and our leadership team is committed to service excellence and innovation. I am humbled and honoured to lead such an amazing team.
We thank the thousands of individuals who received Cota's supports this past year for placing your trust in us. It is a privilege to be invited into your lives, join your journeys, and offer assistance as you pursue your goals.
I’d like to thank Cota’s Board of Directors for continuing to provide valued support and strategic stewardship to the organization and our many partners and funders for your ongoing support and collaboration.
SUNDEEP SODHI
PRESIDENt
board of directors
On behalf of the Board of Directors I would like to congratulate the Cota team on their many successes in 2016-2017. We are very pleased to see so much progress achieved, in relation to our Strategic Plan 2016-2021, in such a relatively short time.
The Board of Directors remains committed to doing everything we can to support Cota in continuing to be a progressive and innovative leader within the health and social service sectors. We are committed to working closely with Cota’s management team, our funders and our partners as we pursue our strategic objectives and work collaboratively to drive necessary system transformation.
Fiscal 2017-2018 promises to be another exciting and productive one for Cota. We look forward to future opportunities to inspire change through collaboration with our partners and funders and to build on Cota’s many successes to date.
in fiscal 2016-2017...

inspiring positive change in the lives of the people we support
I want to tell you how thankful I am to have met you and how much of a positive impact you’ve left on my life. It marked the turning point of the depression I went through. I realize now that going through depression and recovering has given me a new depth of empathy and greater resilience. I feel stronger. My friendships have deepened and I just feel such love and gratitude! I am so thankful to have made it this far!
– *Angelica, client, Access to Resources and Community Supports Program
*This is not the client's name; but they have agreed to share their story and wish to remain anonymous

investing in our staff
Myself and my work partner, June Horton, wanted to reach out to you and let you know how helpful your Intervention Certificate training was for us. Thank you for providing this education and training to us. We found it very valuable and hope that it will continue to benefit our work with our tenants.
– Adriana McCall (Site Support Worker, Cota) & June Horton (Site Support Worker, Cota)

DRIVING NECESSARY SYSTEM TRANSFORMATION
Cota has been fabulous to work with. Their expertise in operating community mental health programs has been a huge factor in our partnership. They are very committed to patient centered care, so the philosophy and culture they bring is aligned with that of the other partners.
– Sandy Marangos, Director, Emergency and Mental health, North York General Hospital

DEMONSTRATE OUR VALUE AND ATTRACT SUPPORT
I’ve always liked Cota. It’s always been direct, to the point, and how can we help you? Especially at this location; coming here makes me feel more confident!
– Ariel, Current Resident, Safe Beds

FORWARD THINKING

LEADERSHIP
Cota’s leadership team is committed to service excellence and innovation. I am humbled and honoured to lead such an amazing team.
– Paul Bruce, Executive Director, Cota

board of directors 2016-2017
President
Sundeep Sodhi
Vice President
Gregory Hendry
Treasurer
Alain Mootoo
Past President
Charlie Bigenwald
directors
Karim Bhimji
Carolyn Cornford Greaves
Jeffery Livingston
Toms Lokmanis
Lisa Pottie
Gordon Singer
Mallory Smith
Mariam Mukati, (until Sept. 20/16)
Rebecca Wagner, (until Sept. 20/16)
Steven Torresan, (appointed on Feb. 23/17)
Rachel Cooper, (appointed Feb. 23/17)
executive leadership
executive director
Paul Bruce
director, clinical operations
Sylvia Starosta
Director, finance and administration
Matthew Chan
director, internal engagement and organizational development
Mary Modeste
Finances, Partners, & Funders




Cota's accomplishments are often the result of formal partnerships and successful collaborations that we have with other organizations. Some of Cota's key collaborations in fiscal year 2016-2017 involved the following partner organizations:
Across Boundaries
Bayview Community Services
Black Creek Community Health Centre
Canadian Mental Health Association-Toronto Branch
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Fife House
Fred Victor
Habitat Services
Humber River Hospital
Jane Finch Family and Community Centre
Jane Street Probation and Parole Office
John Howard Society of Toronto
LOFT Community Services
Mainstay Housing
Neighbourhood Link Support Services
North York General Hospital
Parkdale Community Health Centre
Reconnect Community Health Services
Regeneration Community Services
Second Harvest agency partner
St. Joseph’s Hospital
St. Michael’s Hospital
Surrey Place Centre
Toronto Community Housing Corporation
Toronto North Support Services
Toronto Public Health
Toronto Public Library
Vita Community Living Services
West Park Healthcare Centre

Funding supports provided by:
